Page 301 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

.ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

PERSIAN GULF RESIDENCY

FOR THE

NINE MONTHS ENDING 31ST DECEMBER 1908.

Review by the Political Resident.

The Annual Reports of the offices in the sphere of the Persian Gulf
Residency have been furnished by the following officers :—
Persia.
1. Bushire and Fars . . By the Resident and Mr. J. H. Bill, I.C.S., His
Majesy’s Acting Consul, Shiraz.
2. Arabislan . By Captain I). L. R. Lorimer.
3. Kerman . By Major C. Ducat.
4. Kermanshah . By Captain L. B. Haworth.
5. Bunder Abbas . By Captain W. H. I. Shakespear.
6. Persian Mekran . By Mr. H. Whitby Smith, Director, Persian
Gulf Telegraphs.
Arabia.
1. Maskat . By Mr. R. E. Holland, I.C.S.
2. Trucial Oman . By the Resident.
3. Bahrein By Major F. B. Prideaux.
4. Koweit By Major S. G. Knox.
It will thus be seen that since the submission of the last year’s report the Penoanel.
only changes which have taken place in the personnel of the Agencies and
Consulates arc that Mr. Holland has assumed charge of the Agency at Mas-
kat, and Captain W. II. I. Shakespear has relieved Lieutenant C. H. Gabriel
at Bunder Abbas.
As regards the personnel of the Residency, Captain R. L. Birdwood,
Second Assistant, went on leave on the 30th April 1908, and was relieved
by Lieutenant M. E. Rae.
I regret to record, however, that since the close of the year the Arabistan,
Bahrein and Koweit appointments have all been vacated by the officers
who were selected to create them, after in each case, five years of valuable
work which has resulted in a very material enhancement of British prestige
and influence and promotion of British interests.
The year 1908 has been a troublous one for Persia. In May the Shah *nd
succeeded in overthrowing the Majlis at Tehran. The Nationalists, however, aT*'
continued to dominate the situation at Tabriz and the close of the year
found their position all over the country greatly improved.
At the time of writing (March 1909) most of the principal towns in
Persia are in the hands of the Nationalists, and it seems probable that the
Shah will soon be brought to his knees by want of funds.
Such being the condition of affairs, the year has naturally been a
stagnant one for foreign trade, the anarchy prevailing having greatly
B